The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1999
Erik J. Shahoian, San Leandro, CA (US);
Christopher J. Hasser, San Jose, CA (US);
Bruce M. Schena, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Immersion Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A low-cost, high-resolution capacitive position sensor is provided using a variable capacitor. A vane moves parallel to a stator, where a dielectric is interposed between vane and stator, such that the vane overlaps at least a portion of the stator, creating a capacitance that varies as the vane moves relative to the fixed stator. The capacitor circuit outputs a signal having a phase shift relative to an input driver signal based on the relative positions of the vane and stator. The phase-shifted signal is used to derive the absolute position of the vane with respect to the stator. Two or more stator can be provided to provide two phase-shifted signals and a difference signal free of common mode effects. Enhanced embodiments include interdigitated stator portions for greater sensing resolution, and/or a two or three-pole filter to double or triple the dynamic range of the sensor.
Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile